GPs given template letters for expanded flu vaccine programme

By Stephen Robinson on the
15 July 2014

Public Health England has issued template letters for GP practices to invite parents to bring their children for flu vaccination, as surgeries gear up for expansion of the national programme to include four-year-olds.

The Fluenz vaccine was offered to two- and three-year-olds for the first time in 2013/14 (Photo: SPL)

The letter encourages practices to list dates when parents can bring their children to be vaccinated against flu, adding that these times should be 'preferably ones that allow for people’s working hours and other demands on their time'.

It notes that some four-year-olds starting reception year in primary school pilot areas will be offered their vaccination at school instead of a local surgery. A list of common questions about flu vaccination accompanies the letter.

Vaccination of healthy two and three-year-olds was introduced in 2013/14. From September, several pilot programmes to vaccinate 11- to 13-year-olds in school years seven and eight will operate around the country.